"We'll have one, if you'll let me bang loose a few teeth," said Tjorr. "I know this breed. Yellow dogs! They'll lick your feet or pull out your throat, but naught in between." "It is not my pleasure to fight our own men," said Eodan coldly. "But--but--Well, so be it, my chief." Eodan turned back to the others. "I agree thus far. You may have the vessel after I have disembarked at my goal. Meanwhile, I advise you to learn better seamanship!" "But, Master Captain," said Quintus, "we know you and the honored mate are the best fighters aboard. We want you to lead us." Eodan shook his head. "Well--will you lead us against any ships we may happen to find before you depart?" Eodan shrugged. "As you like, provided I think it is safe." "Oh, indeed, Master, indeed!" The boy spun around to face the men, raising his arms. "Give thanks to the captain!" "Hoy!" cried Demetrios in dismay. "What about me?" "You'll do as you're told," said Tjorr. Demetrios gulped and looked appealingly at Flavius. The Roman smiled, winked and came down the poop ladder. "Your watch," he said. After a while Eodan began to regret not following Tjorr's counsel. His crew had become still more slatternly. Now they would do nothing but sit about boasting of their future, until he finally kicked them into sullen labor. Quintus sidled up in the afternoon and proposed that the weapons be handed out so the men could practice. Eodan told him they should first practice being sailors. Quintus argued. He would not stop arguing until Eodan finally knocked him to the deck; then he slouched off, muttering, to find his big friend. Toward evening, Hwicca came on deck. She was supported by Phryne, and her face was pale. Eodan's heart turned over. He went to her and asked, "Do you feel well, my darling?" "Better," she said dully. "But so tired." Phryne, who had not followed their Cimbric, said angrily to Eodan: "She shivers with cold. _I_ have no warmth to give her!" He said in the Northern language, "Would you have me stay with you tonight, Hwicca?" "As you wish," she said. "You are my husband." Eodan left her, went to the hearth and struck the cook with his fist for a bad supper. Presently Hwicca returned to the cabin. Phryne sought Eodan. Was it only the sunset that reddened her eyes? She said in a jagged tone, "I do not know what is wrong between you two. I can only guess. But I will sleep no more with her." "You can have the tent back, then," said Eodan bitterly, "and I will roll a blanket on deck, since it appears we must all be sundered from each other." "Before Hades, I wonder now if she may not be right!" yelled Phryne. She stamped her foot, whipped about and ran to the tent. She was still wearing the boy's tunic, bare-legged, for there were no women's garments aboard save Hwicca's dresses, too large for her. Quintus, squatting by the rail with his friend, the big man called Narses, stared after the Greek girl and smacked his lips.